Pimlico Spring Meeting Begins Next Thursday

BALTIMORE, 03-29-13---Live racing in Maryland will shift to historic Pimlico Race Course next Thursday, April 4 for the spring meeting. The headline event of the 36-day stand is the 138th running of the $1 million Preakness® Stakes (G1), the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, on May 18.

Live racing takes place four days a week on a Thursday through Sunday schedule prior to Preakness and then Friday, Saturday and Sunday (plus Memorial Day). The meet will end on June 8, Belmont Stakes day.

“The Preakness is 50 days away, so we are getting excited,” said Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas. “We feel it is vital to continue live racing all the way through the Triple Crown to prolong the momentum built during Preakness. There is a special feeling about Pimlico because of the third Saturday in May but the entire meet is important to us. We continue to upgrade the promotions to enhance the experience. In addition, purses on overnight races during the meet will be raised 10-15% across the board, which should lead to larger fields and more wagering.”

The marquee meet of the Maryland racing season features 26 stakes races for purses of more than $4 million. Preakness weekend will include 17 stakes races for $3.4 million.

Preakness day will have nine added money races, including five graded events. In addition to the Preakness, the card will feature the $300,000 Dixie Handicap (G2) and three Grade 3 races. 2013 Preakness InfieldFest will include performances by Pitbull and by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. Both acts will play extended sets on the main stage in the public Infield. Additional information can be found on www.preakness.com.

In addition to the main stage headliners, the day-long multi-celebration festival experience will feature entertainment and a variety of Maryland-branded food and beverage concessions. Chevelle, Florida-Georgia Line and Kristen and the Noise will also be playing full sets on the Jägermeister stage. InfieldFest tickets will be $50 in advance through http://www.ticketfly.com and the Preakness ticket office and $60 during Preakness week. The popular MUG Club returns, offering fans a bottomless mug all day long for one all-inclusive $20 price. As in all prior years, the Maryland Jockey Club will continue to work closely with its beverage partners to ensure that responsible drinking policies and protocol are in place for all Preakness fans.

The Preakness eve card features eight stakes races, headlined by the $500,000 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) and the $300,000 Pimlico Special (G3). Pimlico has partnered with Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® for the return of The People’s Pink Party. Highlights include the fourth annual Lady Legends For the Cure Race™, the Battle of the Sexes Jockey Challenge and the welcoming of 89 breast cancer survivor guests for festivities that will include a special winners’ circle tribute. Grammy-nominated Goo Goo Dolls will headline a concert that begins at 4 p.m. Additional information can be found at www.blackeyedsusanday.com.

“Having a strong stakes schedule on Preakness weekend is important,” added Chuckas. “We are working to increase the profile of the Black-Eyed Susan day experience by opening the public Infield for a Friday happy hour concert.”

SPRING PROMOTIONS

Thursday, April 4–Opening DayCelebrate the return of live racing with free admission and a complimentary live program. First post is 1:10 p.m.

Saturday, April 20 & Sunday, April 21–Decanter Wine Festival
Third annual celebration of Maryland wine and racing. More info at www.DecanterWineFestival.com.

Saturday, April 27–Piece of the Past Giveaway
Treasures from Preakness and Pimlico past.

Saturday, May 4–Derby Day Triple Crown Party & Digital Reins
Party on the apron and a Pimlico social media event.

Saturday, May 11–“Down the Stretch for SGK” Preakness 5K
Organized by Corrigan Sports, runners will complete the entire race within the grounds at Pimlico Race Course.

Sunday, May 12–Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch
$34 per person from 12-4 p.m. in the Terrace Dining Room.

Wednesday, May 15, Thursday, May 16 & Friday, May 17–Sunrise at Old Hilltop
See the Preakness contenders prepare for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown as fans get the opportunity to watch morning workouts and tour the stable area, including the famous Preakness Stakes barn, and catch a glimpse of the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales. Admission is free for the 6-9 a.m. event.

About Pimlico Race Course
Historic Pimlico Race Course, home of the Preakness® Stakes, the middle jewel in horse racing's famed Triple Crown, first opened its doors on October 25, 1870, and is the second oldest racetrack in the United States. Pimlico has played host to racing icons and Baltimoreans have seen the likes of legendary horses such as Man o’ War, Seabiscuit, Secretariat, Affirmed and Cigar thunder down the stretch in thrilling and memorable competition. For more information on Pimlico, visit www.pimlico.com.

Pimlico Race Course is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida and is one of North America's top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world's largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a major producer of televised horse racing programming through its HRTV cable and satellite network and is North America's premier supplier of virtual online horse racing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.

Pimlico Visitor's Guide

Come visit Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore's premier destination for horse racing and home of the Preakness Stakes. Dine and watch the excitement of live racing in our Terrace Dining room, or watch simulcast racing and live racing in our Sports Palace. Our Jockey Club also has views of the track and there is plenty of seating in the general admission area. Pimlico has been offering exciting thoroughbred horse racing since 1870. Read More

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Reserve a day at the races for an unforgettable birthday, office party, family reunion, fundraiser or association gathering. With a variety of all-inclusive packages that include value added extras, like a trip to the Winner's Circle and a picture with the winning jockey, your next gathering at Pimlico Race Course is sure to be a memorable one. For exciting horse racing and horse racing results, Pimlico Race Course is your best bet in the Baltimore area. Read More

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